The Deparment of Defense recently assigned a full mechanized combat brigade from the Third Infantry Division to be an on-call reaction force for natural or man made disaster on American soil. On initial consideration its a cool idea, having a 5,000 man element at a heightened state of readiness to handle anything that may arise. Defending America is the whole point of the military after all.

Global warming is a controversial subject that on one hand is causing problems for polar bears, and on the other giving Austin, Texas 59 consecutive hours below the freezing mark—for the first time since 1983. The low in Manhattan yesterday was Seven degrees Fahrenheit below the average low. Despite these conditions, Congress is considering drastic changes to legislation concerning corporate tax breaks and incentives for oil companies. Considering that the price of gasoline has finally dropped to a reasonable level, would taking $15 billion worth of tax breaks from the oil companies be a popular move in America? Is this controversial subject truly backed by science? If global warming is a true crisis, is slapping more tax on "Big Oil" going to help?

Yesterday, British Army General Sir Richard Dannatt called for the withdrawal of British troops from Iraq "sometime soon," stating that the British presence in Iraq "exacerbates the security problems" Britain is facing worldwide. 24 hours later, the General has clarified his comments, saying that British troops should be withdrawn "over the course of the next year or two or three."

Jack Straw, a politician with the Labor Party in Britain, is demanding Muslim women remove their veils. He asserts that the veil makes face-to-face relations more difficult and that his motive is a "profound commitment to equal rights for Muslim communities."

Is this a violation of the civil rights of these women, or is the removal of the veil a worthy sacrifice to improve immigrant relations?

Could this be a great chance for the US to show the Iranians that, despite their differences, they’re not bad people? Would Iran just decline the olive branch of peace if its perceived enemy were to extend it? Does the West have an obligation to help the villagers of Iran who really have very little to do with ballistic missile testing?

Terrorists recently attempted to blow up the Abqaiq oil refinery in Saudi Arabia. If you are wondering about the significance of such an action, a successful attack on this refinery could send oil prices to $100 a barrel and would take months to return to a nominal operating capacity.

So why on earth would a Muslim terrorist attack the House of Saud? Some feel that the corruption within the rulers of Saudi Arabia and their disregard for Islam are at the root of such attacks. Despite varying opinions, some things are indisputable: US dependence on Saudi oil, and the entanglement of US politicians and Saudi royals.

58% of San Francisco voters recently voted in favor of anti-gun legislation that bans handguns inside city limits. The NRA has immediately challenged the bill as being against both federal and state laws. Pro-gun lobbyists are spouting the usual rhetoric: if you outlaw guns, only outlaws have guns; proponents of the bill say that San Francisco is now a safer place, although the violent crime rate in San Fran is 24% higher than the national average. Additionally, Washington DC, with its incredibly strict gun control laws, has the highest per capita murder rate in the Western world.

Pirates are becoming an increasingly large threat to international shipping and seaborne travel. The waters of the coast of Somalia are unsafe, and vessels are advised to stay more than 150 miles off the coast and to avoid using communications equipment. Attacks in Indonesian waters are also common, and the South Pacific is not immune from the problem either.

Pirates’ guerrilla style tactics present the usual problems for military and law enforcement officials, but very little has been done to stop these criminals. Is this a threat that is worth addressing? How will the problem be handled if it is significant enough? Finally, how does one apply to be on the boats that go out to hunt pirates?

After extensive discussion here at O-nerd concerning the Iranians and their nuclear program, a recent bit of oratory by Iran’s president clarifies some of the unknown. At an address to 4000 students, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said that Israel must be wiped off the face of the map. Not a new sentiment, to be certain, but rarely voiced in such plain terms by the leader of a country.
‘The establishment of Zionist regime was a move by the world oppressor against the Islamic world,’ leaves little doubt as to what the Iranians think about the US, as well. The White House press secretary said that the incident clarifies what the US government has suspected all along. Even the French ‘condemn them very forcefully.’

The Washington Post reported today that a Spanish judge has issued an arrest warrant for three American soldiers for killing a Spanish journalist. At first glance, this seems like a rational move, until you consider the details.

The unfortunate killing happened April 8, 2003 in Baghdad. If you’ll recall, it was a bit of a hot time in that city, what with the "high intensity" war going on and all. Additionally, the soldiers charged are apparently chosen at random – a lieutenant colonel, a captain, and a sergeant. Not having been there, I cannot claim one way or another, but my experience leads me to believe that a lieutenant colonel most likely did not fire a 120mm round into a hotel.